Improvement in ear-slippers



I. B. K LEIN ERT.

EAR-SLIPPER.

Patented May 15, 187 7.

WITNE SES I INVENTOR 6 2/7. %'Qm (5 KW ATTORNEY NKPETERS, FHOTQ-UTHOGFIFHER, WASHWGTQN. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC B. KLEINERT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN EAR-SLIPPERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. I90,720, dated May 15, 1877; application filed April 7, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC B. KLEINERT, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Slippers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in ear-slippers, the object of the same being to provide an ear-protector of such form and construction that it may be readily applied, and when secured in place its shape and pliability will render it pleasant and comfortable to the wearer.

Heretofore ear mufl's or pockets have been constructed wherein the overlapping portion of the same has had a continuous wire secured thereto, said wire being formed into an oblong form smaller than the ordinary-sized ear, and hence such mufi's or pockets, in order to be applied, necessitate the doubling or turning of the ear in order to force the pocket thereon. As this pnocess requires considerable practice and time to secure the mufls in place, ear-muffs of such construction are condemned by many persons who fail to understand the proper way of applying and wearing such articles. Again, ear muffs or pockets of the form and construction above noted are objectionable for the reason that the wire, being drawn tightly against the car by the continuous strain produced by the fastening-cord, which is a necessary adjunct in order to retain the mufi's in place, renders the articles harsh and uncomfortable to the wearer.

' My invention obviates the defects above noted, and consists in an ear-slipper formed of two pieces of cloth, or equivalent pliable material, said pieces preferably provided with flexible or pliable bindings, the outer and imperforate portion of the slipper being of sufficient size to cover the entire ear, while the inner portion is secured to the upper portion only of the outer part of the slipper, thereby forming a receptacle for the upper part of the ear, and serving to retain the slipper in position when in use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an enlarged view of one of my improved earslippers. Fig. 2 represents the same when applied for use. Fig. 3 is a modification.

A designates the outer portion of the earslipper, and the same is made of any desired material, but preferably of closely woven or knitted fabric, and soft to the touch. Piece A may be provided with a silk or other suitable pliable binding, B. This outer piece A is of such form and size as will serve as a complete and efi'ectual protection for the ear when the slipper is applied. To the upper portion of part A is secured an arc-shaped fastening or inner piece, 0, the ends a a of which extend only part way down the sides of the outer part A, leaving the lower portion of the slipper free to adjust itself laterally to cover ears of different shapes and sizes. An elastic cord or braid, D, has its ends secured to the lower portion of each slipper, and serves to retain the same in place, as shown in Fig. 2.

Ear-slippers manufactured in accordance with my invention are of small initial cost,

and can be supplied to the trade at a much' lower sum than those heretofore manufactured, as each slipper consists of two pieces of material only, which are readily sewed together, and may be made with or without binding, according to the texture and kind of material employed.

They are adapted to be quickly applied, as the arc-shaped fasteningpiece 0 is simply over the upper portion of the ear, and when the slipper is pulled downwardly the attach ment is effected. Again, they are easy and comfortable to the wearer, as the entire slipper is soft and pliable and adjusts itself to the ear.

The article above described is intended for gentlemens wear, while Fig. 3 shows a modified form of slipper especially adapted for ladies. The lower portion of the outer piece A is slitted at b, so that the protector shall not interfere with the ear-rin gs generally worn by ladies; and instead of securing the slippers by a cord or braid passing under the chin, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the cord or braid in this instance has its ends secured to the sides of the slippers, so that the slippers may be secured by passing the cord backwardly around the neck, and thus retain them securely in place without interfering with the ornaments fastened to the ear, as shown in Fig. 3.

I am aware that ear-muffs have been made wherein the inner portion of the same extends from the middle portion of the front of the muff over the top and down the entire rear edge of the same, thereby forming a receptacle for the entire car, and hence I would have it understood that I make no claim to an earmufi of such construction, as in my improved ear-slipper only the upper portion of the ear is inclosed in the slipper, while the outer portion of the same is adapted to have free lateral movement, and thus enable the article to be quickly attached and easily adjusted. 

